Pick of the week

Pick of the week

Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage can be relied upon to locate the least understated version of any character he plays. So it is again with this noir take on Marvel’s Spider-Man. He plays Ben Reilly, a jaded PI in Depression-era New York who, after failing to protect his former love Ruby, has put his Spidey skills away for good. Or so he thinks: the Big Apple is teeming with nefarious characters, not least crime kingpin Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson). When Reilly acquires illicit photographs of the mayor, events spiral out of control. It is undeniably stylish though it’s disappointing that the show hasn’t fully committed to its black-and-white aesthetic – a colour version of the show is available, too.

Prime Video, from Wednesday 27 May

Untold UK: Vinnie Jones

When Vinnie Jones first came to prominence – via his intimate examination of a young Paul Gascoigne in 1988 – few could have guessed the path his life was to take. This final episode of Netflix’s football stories examines the career of a player whose on-pitch talent was limited but whose horizons were wide. With Jones himself as our guide, the documentary follows the unpredictable trajectory of a man who managed to parlay his well-deserved hard nut image into a Hollywood career. Jones is blunt, likable and, appropriately, not averse to self-mythologising.

Netflix, from Tuesday 26 May

Abbott Elementary

As ever, gently personal stories intersect with subtle polemic as UK viewers finally get a chance to enjoy the second half of the fifth season of this charming, pointed comedy drama. Much of the action this time centres on the sweetly hesitant courtship between Gregory and Janine. But there is a growing sense that they might need to get on with it: there are bigger issues at hand as a new district regime looks to have threatening plans for many of the publicly funded schools in the area. With funding being slashed, could Abbott’s existence be under threat?

Disney+, from Wednesday 27 May

The Four Seasons

“I hereby declare this annual Nick Weekend!” In season two, the friendship group in Tina Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield’s comedy drama are healing their wounds together after the death of Steve Carell’s Nick. Has this collision with mortality made them any more sensible? Thankfully, not really. Jack is struggling with his emotions (and weed habit), while Anne is trying to organise Nick’s legacy and struggling with the admin. Fey’s trademark goofy snark continues to blend with acutely observed undercurrents of midlife melancholy.

Netflix, from Thursday 28 May

Deli Boys

This snappy comedy enjoys toying with stereotypes surrounding Muslim Americans. In fact, its lack of solemnity is its most pleasingly subversive quality. It focuses on Mir and Raj, two brothers who had been coasting through life in their father’s shadow until his death forced them to confront his concealed second career as a drug lord. Now, the hapless pair come face to face with casino owner Max Sugar – a man with whom they seemingly have no choice but to do business. However, he comes with unsavoury connections. Smart, silly fun.

Disney+, from Thursday 28 May

Star City

This enthralling counterfactual spin-off from For All Mankind offers a Russian perspective on the space race. The obvious tonal comparison is HBO’s Chernobyl, a series that also illuminated the toll taken on individuals by a party line enforced to the point of absurdity. Star City’s focus is the politics: the Chief Designer (Rhys Ifans) who is given an award but not allowed to take it home; the callow astronaut Anastasia (Alice Englert) who gets to be the first woman on the moon because “she has been a party member since she was 18”. The superb cast also includes Adam Nagaitis and Anna Maxwell Martin.

Apple TV, from Friday 29 May

Rafa